The Chosen

by Chaim Potok

Jews. Pilpul, these discussions are called—empty, nonsensical arguments over minute points of the Talmud that have no relation at all to the world.

But it was not the Talmud that he studied, it was the Kabbalah, the books of Jewish mysticism.

The rabbis had forbidden the study of the Kabbalah, and so Israel had to study in secret.

Ba’al Shem Tov—the Kind or Good Master of the Name.